By BRENT MARTIN

St. Joseph Post

Levels on the Missouri River continue to go down and area residents are returning to their homes.

The National Weather Service reports the level on the Missouri River has receded to 29.58 feet at St. Joseph at 7am, after reaching what could be a record crest. Preliminary indications are the Missouri River edged just above the record crest of 32.1 feet Friday before beginning its steady decline. NWS expects the Missouri to drop below the major flood stage Monday evening, when the river is projected to drop to 26.6 feet.

An evacuation order issued by the city of St. Joseph and Buchanan County for residents protected by the L-455 levee was lifted earlier. The levee protects the southern part of the city, including Lake Contrary.

A notice issued by the St. Joseph Police Department indicates now the only streets closed due to flooding are Stockyards, Cedar and Waterworks.

Elwood, Kansas residents are being allowed to return home after a voluntary evacuation order virtually emptied the city and closed businesses there.